Family Farm Field Days a reinvestment in community farming

Amish Country conjures pictures of rolling hillsides filled with vast farmland and rows of corn, soy and other crops, painting an idyllic scene for those who visit.

For those who live here, those lush fields represent security by the way of hard work, where farmers make a living for their families.

Reinvesting in promoting all the ways farmers can find success in their efforts is what the annual Family Farm Field Days is all about, the event serving as a reminder that there are many ways families can build a reliable and sustainable form of farming that can make a worthwhile income.

This year’s newest edition of Family Farm Field Days will take place Friday and Saturday, July 18-19 at the Andrew Coblentz Farm, 4991 Township Road 419, just east of Walnut Creek near Hillcrest Orchard.

The event remains entrenched in the promotion and education of the many ways farming can be a viable income for families, whether it’s on an enormous 300-acre farm or a simple 1-acre lot.

The organizers recognize that in today’s world the challenges of farming are ever-changing, from the way people do business to the economy, banking and weather. The landscape of farming is ever-changing, and gleaning ways to succeed from those who have experience is how farmers can keep progressing.

Family Farm Field Days serves as one way the community can keep educating people on more efficient ways to make a living. The hope of the two-day event is to inspire and motivate people to create farming opportunities that can be sustainable in both produce and dairy farming. Its mission is getting people back to the earth and to basic living skills.

Each year FFFD offers a host of topical speakers. The Saturday lineup will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the Farmstead Tent. There will be topics focused on soil, farming accidents, beef, diversifying and dairy farming.

The Homesteader Tent will feature knife sharpening, sheep herding, chicken butchering, a berry walk, medicinal herbs, raising pasture pigs, milk and duck herding.

There will also be the Beekeeping Tent focused on all things in the hive and honey world, while the Natural Resource Tent will feature everything from big bucks and chain saws to birding, dogs and more.

There also will be horse training demonstrations throughout both days, featuring the talents of the Stephen Schlabach family.

One highlight is always the keynote speaker. This year’s presentation will come courtesy of Ivan Barkman, who will present Discovering & Utilizing the Resources of Your Farm & Homestead.

Ivan and Susan Barkman and their six children live in Bainbridge, New York and operate a certified organic dairy farm, as well as a large maple syrup operation. The family also is involved with custom timber framing, lathe work, logging and concrete flatwork, and just to make sure they stay busy, they invest in growing fruits and vegetables in the farm.

“The keynote is always a highlight, and having Ivan Barkman coming from New York should be a very interesting topic,” Miller said. “Ivan has Holmes County roots and is well known to the local community.”

Barkman also will speak Friday at 6 p.m., with other Friday evening events including a horse training session and a farm safety demonstration, and both days will feature plenty of food stands.

“The horse training by the Schlabach family is always a huge draw,” Miller said. “Mule starting will also be included, and the various tents have a lot of good topics well suited for the entire family. The children’s tent always draws a big crowd.”

Miller said there will be a display in the natural resource tent featuring all kinds of hardware that was cut out of logs at a local lumber yard. “It should be a teachable lesson for the youngsters what not to put in a tree,” he said.

The event is free to the public, but donation boxes will be posted on grounds, and any donations will be appreciated.

In addition to the sessions, there will be a host of vendors and sponsors and be sure to take time to browse the vendor area. The food stand will be open Friday from 4-8 p.m. and all day Saturday with breakfast starting at 7 a.m. Food is by donation with proceeds going to several local special school systems.

Anyone with vendor questions may call 330-601-3292, and those with general questions may call 740-202-5475.

The great thing about this event is there are always many questions to be answered, and many speakers and sessions abound that will answer most of them and provide some insight for farmers seeking to grow their farms and improve their businesses.